Fanny Crosby lost her sight as an infant. Yet, amazingly, she went on to become one of the most well-known lyricists of Christian hymns. During her long life, she wrote over 9,000 hymns. Among them are such enduring favorites as “Blessed Assurance” and “To God Be the Glory.”

Some people felt sorry for Fanny. A well-intentioned preacher told her, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.” It sounds hard to believe, but she replied: “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind? . . . Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.”

Fanny saw life with an eternal perspective. Our problems look different in light of eternity: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).

All our trials dim when we remember that one glorious day we will see Jesus!

Dear God, please help us to see this lifefrom a heavenly perspective. Remind us thatour trials, however difficult, will one day fadefrom view when we see You face to face.

The way we view eternity will affect the way we live in time.

INSIGHT: Christ-followers will experience trials and tribulation in this life. Christian ministry, like any other activity, carries with it the wear and tear of opposition, resistance, and disappointment. Paul acknowledges this reality but finds more than enough power and encouragement from his inner spiritual transformation to carry on. In Paul’s mind, the final outcome will be an “eternal weight of glory” (v.17). In all this, perspective is essential. “For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (v.18). The Greek word temporary could be translated “for a season.” The good and ills we face each day are only seasonal, but the reality of Christ will last for all eternity. This perspective gives the believer staying power to face life’s challenges.